Echo Chamber (Monday, April 14): News You Could Have Read Anywhere

The newly excavated and redeveloped Erie Canal Harbor will open by Memorial Day weekend, says Jordan Levy, chairman of the Erie Canal Harbor Redevelopment Corp. After $53 million of work, the site will include the rewatered Commercial Slip, interpretive signs with local history, and waterfront access. The harbor is only a part of the planned Canal Side development, which will cover more than 25 acres and restore the historic grid of streets, including Lloyd, Prime, and Hanover streets.

The Pacific Fishery Managment Council voted to cancel all commercial salmon fishing from California to northern Oregon this season, citing the near collapse of the fall Chinook salmon run in the Sacramento River. California’s politicians have promised to seek $150 million in disaster aid for the fishing industry there, which typically relies on salmon for up to half of its yearly revenue.

Train service was re-established today between the Indian and Bangladeshi capitals for the first time since war broke out between India and Pakistan 42 years ago. One-way trips on the 310-mile run from Calcutta to Dhaka cost about $4. Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, was at war with India until it gained independence from Pakistan in 1971.

The Japanese whaling fleet missed its target number of minke whales this year thanks to the efforts of activists. The Japanese, who claim to use the minke whales for research, only killed 551 of their 850 quota. The fleet, which set sail in November, said that activist groups caused them to lose 31 days of hunting.